Off The Track
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
Solomon Islands and Future Air Services
TT was reported in a Melbourne news * paper during the month that the European residents of Bougainville were raising a howl because they had not been provided for in any of the various Pacific air mail schemes planned or under con templation.
The position, however, is that Bougain ville is off the track of any possible aeroplane service. It is the most north erly of the Solomon Islands group— although for purposes of administration it is included within the Mandated Ter ritory of New Guinea. It is an island with a large amount of rich undeveloped land and probably is capable of carrying a large population of planters; but it is unlucky in its place on the map.
The proposed aeroplane service from Sydney to New Guinea (tenders for which close on March 31) probably will extend to Rabaul, but it is unlikely that the aeroplanes, having reached that centre, will undertake a further flight of 200 miles into the south-east, in order to serve the European population of 200 in Bougainville.
Papua and New Guinea are on the future aeroplane track to the Far East; Fiji, Samoa, and other Central Pacific Islands are on the track of the projected Central Pacific air service between New Zealand and Hawaii. But the New Heb rides, New Caledonia, and the Solomon Islands are not in the track of any trans pacific air service.